kept meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept meaning" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of maintaining or preserving a certain significance or interpretation, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "Despite the changes in the story, the kept meaning remained clear to the audience."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

We kept meaning to, but it never happened.

The Guardian - Books

I kept meaning to listen, but never got around to it.

The New York Times - Arts

David R. Godine has kept "Meaning a Life" in print, but it is not widely read.

The New Yorker

All during lunch he kept meaning to tell Father John, but somehow how he never did.

The New Yorker

I kept meaning to educate myself in pyrotechnics from books and online, but I never did.

The New Yorker

Ilka was lonely, and her efforts to seek people out appeared unsuccessful; people at school kept meaning to invite her, but were always busy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

I'm less interested in meaning -- whatever that word means, I'm not quite sure, I keep meaning to look up meaning -- than in doing.

The New York Times

I keep meaning to find out.

The New York Times

"I keep meaning to," she said.

The New York Times - Food

I keep meaning to look up the difference.

The New Yorker

"I keep meaning to get my own place," he says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey that a meaning has been maintained or preserved, opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "retained meaning" or "preserved significance" instead of using "kept meaning."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "kept meaning" in formal writing. While understandable in some contexts, it is not grammatically correct. Instead, consider "retained its meaning" or "maintained its significance" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept meaning" functions primarily as a verb phrase aiming to describe the act of maintaining a specific significance or interpretation. However, according to Ludwig, this construction is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Examples provided by Ludwig show its presence across various sources, though alternative phrasing is advisable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "kept meaning" appears in a variety of sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig. Its primary purpose is to convey the act of maintaining a specific significance. Though its usage is relatively common, the register leans towards neutral to informal contexts. For formal writing, alternatives such as "retained meaning" or "preserved significance" are more appropriate and precise. When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, steer clear of "kept meaning" and opt for more established phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retained meaning

Focuses on the continuation of a specific significance or interpretation.

preserved meaning

Emphasizes the active effort to maintain the original significance.

maintained significance

Highlights the continued importance or relevance of something.

sustained interpretation

Focuses on the ongoing understanding or explanation of something.

held onto the meaning

Suggests a deliberate effort to not lose the original intent.

remained meaningful

Indicates that something has continued to have importance or value.

stood for the same thing

Highlights that no change occurred to the interpretation.

consistently signified

The significance was not subject to alterations.

always represented

Emphasizes the consistency over time.

unaltered message

Message remains unchanged or modified.

FAQs

Is "kept meaning" grammatically correct?

No, "kept meaning" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like "retained meaning" or "preserved meaning".

What can I say instead of "kept meaning"?

You can use alternatives such as "retained meaning", "maintained significance", or "preserved meaning" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "kept meaning" or "retained meaning"?

"Retained meaning" is the correct and more grammatically sound option compared to "kept meaning".

In what contexts might I encounter "kept meaning"?

While not grammatically standard, you might encounter "kept meaning" in informal writing or speech, where precision is not the primary concern. However, it is advisable to avoid it in formal contexts.